News from Akhal-Teke farm and riding club INSTERBURG

Buying Akhal-Tekes from Russia.

First of all let me congratulate you with your decision to buy an Akhal-Teke!

Historically Russia has great population of Akhal-Teke horses. There is a good number of breeding farms and large gene-pool in Russia, what is very important for a breed with very limited number of horses. Among Russian Akhal-Teke horses you can find horses recently or long time ago brought from other countries with long traditions of Akhal-Teke breeding, starting with Turkmenistan, but also from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. By buying from Russia you bring new genes to your country's population of Akhal-Teke horses, what is a wise thing to do. We should also not forget about the great quality of Akhal-Teke horses in Russia, their excellent type corresponds with their impressive pedigrees. Many winners of Russian and World Championships of Akhal-Teke horses (held for decades already) are living prove of it.

Well, you already know all the above and are interested in buying a wonderful Akhal-Teke from Russia. May be you have already found a breeding farm or a broker over the Internet and felt in love with a particular horse. Of course, you would like to be sure that you will do everything right. Here are some simple tips, that will save you lot's of nerves:

1. Always ask for MAAK/VNIIK passports, certifying that the horse of your choice is a purebred AT with proper pedigree. If a horse does not have such document, it is not a purebred Akhal-Teke. In this case you can either look for another horse, or if you really like your choice, ask the owner to run the blood tests in VNIIK and verify the pedigree. Keep in mind that partbred Akhal-Teke horses are also registered in the amendment to the General Studbook of purebred Akhal-Teke horses, and also have passport from MAAK/VNIIK, but as partbred Akhal-Teke horses.

2. Ask the Akhal-Teke Association of your country about the particular breeder/broker of your choice. There is a good possibility that they have heard something or even have had some personal experience with the seller/breeder, since Akhal-Teke world is very small. Do not hesitate to ask MAAK board directly ("www.maakcenter.org"), especially about Russian breeders/brokers.

3. Do not hesitate to ask the seller/broker for reference letters from their previous buyers in your country (or other EC countries. or USA), whom you can contact.

4. Pay attention to the location of the farm and transportation. Russia is a big country and transporting a horse can come to a big price, unless a seller has some special arrangements. Do not forget to find out the total cost of your purchase, including transportation to your place! Get a reliable transport company, who will do the job.

5. Find out if the seller has experience in exporting horses, who will do the export paperwork and how much will it cost, if it is not included in the price.

6. Export permissions are issued by VNIIK/MAAK with the name of the new owner. It will be wise to contact them directly and inform about the purchase yourself.

7. There are no bans for importing horses from Russia, but of course they should qualify to specific veterinary rules of your country. It is especially important for buyers from America, Australia and Middle East. Always ask about the blood tests before you pay for the horse. There is the only laboratory in Russia (Moscow), that should run these tests: All-Russian Research Institute of Experimental Veterinary, named after Kovalenko (VIEV).

8. Horses from Russia have to pass only a 3-days quarantine upon arrival to the US, when horses from Europe must pass 7-days CEM quarantine. There is no quarantine for Russian horses arriving to EC countries, they only need a proper vet certificate and a proper set of blood tests, that can be done in Russia (VIEV lab).

Summary of the above - always ask for references and do not hesitate to ask for assistance from different Akhal-Teke associations, starting with the International Association of Akhal-Teke breeders (MAAK).

If you have not found an Akhal-Teke of your dream yet, we will be happy to help you, we are always aware of many beautiful horses for sale from Russia and abroad. Just send us an e-mail.

Our tips are simple and easy to follow, but they are very helpful when buying an Akhal-Teke from Russia. Most of them are useful for buying Akhal-Teke horses from any country.

GOOD LUCK!